The Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday screened nine commissioner nominees forwarded by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, confirming five and rejecting four.
Of the nine nominees screened, the Assembly confirmed the following as commissioners: Mr. Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
The four nominees who were rejected after the screening are Prof. Datonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Deemua, Tamuno Williams, and Otonye T.K.D. Amachree.
Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, who presided over plenary on Monday, disclosed this in his summation after listening to motions moved and seconded from his colleagues who either opposed or supported the nominations before the House.
Amaewhule said the nominees rejected were based on their poor performance during their screening and issues including petitions surrounding their nominations.
He stated, “Distinguished colleagues, we have nine nominees forwarded to this Assembly by the governor. At the end of the screening exercise the House has confirmed five of them.
“And four of them the House has chosen to take a deep breath given their poor performance and controversies surrounding either their documents and they have not been able to show this august assembly that they are indeed prepared to serve Rivers State or that they are able.
“And we feel that they are not square pegs in square holes for the offices that they intend to occupy in the Rivers State Executive Council.
“On that note, distinguished colleagues, I thank you for your contributions. With your leave and in line with our rules, I will forward the resolution of this august assembly to the governor so that he can take necessary steps for the interest of Rivers State.”
After putting the question to the House to write a letter to the governor, the Speaker added, “On that note, I’m going to forward a letter to the governor and ask him to swear in five of the nominees as soon as possible.”
The House then adjourned plenary to Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
The screening followed the submission of the list of nominees for consideration to serve in the governor’s cabinet.
The Assembly had requested the nominees to provide 40 copies of their Curriculum Vitae, credential photocopies, and tax compliance evidence ahead of the process, as directed in a notice signed by Clerk Emeka Amadi on March 3, 2026.
This exercise comes after the restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State following the lifting of a six-month state of emergency by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 17, 2025, and a new Abuja peace deal between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Governor Fubara had earlier sacked his former commissioners, including Chief of Staff Edison Ehie and Secretary to the State Government Benibo Anabraba, following his return from Abuja, and subsequently appointed new officials to those positions.
